Sheriff John Hanlin Appoints Brad O'Dell as New Undersheriff

ROSEBURG, Ore. – Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin has named a new Undersheriff to serve in his administration due to the retirement of current Undersheriff Jeff Frieze. Previously serving in the rank of Lieutenant and overseeing the Special Services division, Brad O’Dell was promoted to Undersheriff during a pinning ceremony on Monday, December 30th, 2024. “I am honored to have the confidence of Sheriff Hanlin to serve in this new role,” US O’Dell said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the leadership team, our agency partners and our community to continue the exceptional work of the men and women at the Sheriff’s Office.” US O’Dell has served the Douglas County public safety community for many years. He began volunteering for the Glide Rural Fire Protection District while still in high school. O’Dell then became a certified Emergency Medical Technician and worked in both paid and volunteer medical roles. US O’Dell was hired by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in 2006 as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher. Since then, he has worked as a Patrol Deputy, Detective, Corporal, Sergeant and most recently Special Services and Administrative Lieutenant. In addition to his assigned roles, US O’Dell has served as a Field Training Officer, Oregon Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator, Honor Guard Commander, Hiring Board Member, ORPAT and TASER instructor. His most recent work at the Sheriff’s Office had him overseeing 9-1-1 Dispatch, Animal Control, Search and Rescue, Timber and Marine Patrols. He serves as the agency’s training officer, public information officer and is responsible for policy and procedure updates. US O’Dell has attended over 2,500 hours of continuing education to include various leadership courses. US O’Dell is especially proud of inspiring the next generation of law enforcement with his work as an Assistant Professor at Umpqua Community College. He coordinates the Police Reserve Academy and finds that work to be extremely rewarding. Additionally, he serves as the President of the Oregon Homicide Investigators Association, a member of the Line of Duty Death Response Team for the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation and a Board Member for the Mercy Foundation. His work for the Sheriff’s Office has brought him many commendations including being the 2012 Roseburg Optimist Club’s Officer of the Year. He was also a recipient of the Sheriff’s Medal of Valor for his involvement in a critical incident. US O’Dell holds an Associate’s of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice from Umpqua Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from California Coast University. During the pinning ceremony for family, friends and colleagues Monday, Sheriff Hanlin expressed his excitement to have O’Dell be his next Undersheriff. O’Dell’s experience and work ethic will surely help guide the agency in a positive direction in future years, Hanlin said. In a Sheriff’s Office conference room packed with well-wishers, Hanlin said O’Dell personifies the motto of the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association that, “Relationships are primary, everything else is secondary.” Via Douglas County Sheriff's Office release